Growth performance of Curcuma caesia on integrated nutrient management under eucalyptus based agroforestry model in Chhattisgarh plain

Introduction

The agroforestry model contributes to climate change mitigation through nutrient cycling, erosion control, and atmospheric carbon stabilization (Tripathy et al., 2021, Mankur et al., 2024) [16,7] . Agroforestry is an ancient land management system where trees and shrubs are integrated with crops and livestock to enhance productivity and sustainability which provides multiple outputs like food, fuel, fodder, timber, fibre, and medicinal products while maintaining ecological balance and soil health. Agroforestry helps in economic, ecological, and social objectives, promoting biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and improved land productivity (Viswanath et al., 2018; Singh et al., 2021) [17,15] . Among agroforestry, Eucalyptus tereticornis (Family: Myrtaceae) holds major commercial importance due to its rapid growth, adaptability, and diverse applications in pulp, timber, oil, and medicine. Eucalyptus tereticornis and E. grandis are particularly valued for high-quality wood and environmental adaptability. Despite concerns regarding allelopathy and water use, eucalyptus supports reforestation, wood supply, soil fertility, and carbon sequestration (Kaur & Monga, 2021 and Mankur et al., 2024) [5,8] . Its essential oil, rich in 1,8-cineole and γterpinene, has antimicrobial, antioxidant, and pesticidal properties, making it valuable for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and aromatherapy (Parul et al., 2021; Dixit et al., 2012) [11,3] . Curcuma caesia Roxb. (Kaali Haldi), a perennial member of the Zingiberaceae family, is notable for its bluish-black rhizomes and high medicinal value. Indigenous to North-East and Central India, it is traditionally used to treat ailments such as asthma, cancer, epilepsy, wounds, menstrual disorders, and rheumatic pain (Pandey et al., 2003; Arulmozhi et al., 2006) [10,2] . The rhizome contains over 30 bioactive compounds including camphor, arturmerone, and cineole, responsible for its therapeutic properties (Ratala et al., 2023) [12] . Due to overexploitation, C. caesia has been listed among India's critically significant and protected medicinal plants by the National Medicinal Plant Board (Kumar et al., 1998) [6] .

Its

extensive ethnomedicinal applications and pharmacological potential highlight the importance of integrating Curcuma caesia under sustainable agroforestry systems, such as eucalyptus-based models, to ensure both conservation and enhanced economic returns for farming communities.

Materials and Methods

The experiment was conducted at the Herbal Garden under Department of Silviculture & Agroforestry, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur (C.G.). Geographically, the site lies at 21°23′39.77″ N latitude and 81°.69"44.30″ E longitude, with an elevation of about 295 meters above mean sea level. The soil of the experimental field was clay to loam soil. Experimental period (June 2024 to March 2025), the mean monthly maximum temperature for the crop growing period was 38.96°C, while the minimum temperature dropped from 38.96°C to 27.68°C. The single rhizome used for planting of Kaali Haldi (Curcuma caesia) under Nilgiri (Eucalyptus) based agroforestry system. The field was prepared by three ploughings, manual cleaning, and incorporation of farmyard manure (10 t ha⁻¹). Fertilizers were applied at 150:125:150 kg ha⁻¹ N:P: K using urea, SSP, and MOP. Turmeric (Curcuma caesia) rhizomes were planted manually on 18 June 2024 at 30 × 15 cm spacing. Irrigation was provided immediately after sowing and subsequently at 20 days intervals based on soil moisture. Monthly weeding and removal of Eucalyptus leaf litter were carried out. Growth parameter viz., plant height, number of tillers, and number of leaves were recorded from five randomly selected plants per plot at 30, 60, 90, and 120 DAP & yield parameters viz., mother rhizome length & width (cm) and finger rhizome length & width (cm) were recorded from five randomly selected plants per replication. The crop was harvested on 7 March 2025 at physiological maturity & yield per hectare was estimated. Observation on growth & yield parameters were recorded from five plants in each replication & the mean were used for statistical analysis.

Results and Discussion

The important growth parameters like plant height, number of leaves and number of tillers influence the growth and productivity of the crop (Table 1). From the Table 1, it is revealed that the treatment T1 (100% inorganic) has the significant influence on plant growth in comparison to T2 (75% inorganic), T3 (50% inorganic), T4 (25% inorganic), T5 (75% inorganic + 25% organic), T6 (50% inorganic + 50% organic), T7 (25% inorganic + 75% organic), T8 (100% organic) and T9 (Control zero fertilizer). The maximum plant height of Kaali Haldi (33.80 cm, 61.52 cm, 80.36 cm & 101.98 cm) at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded in T1 (100% inorganic) followed by T2 (75% inorganic). However, the minimum plant height of Kaali Haldi (21.94 cm, 49.49 cm, 70.35 cm, & 90.81 cm) at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded under T9 (Control zero fertilizer). Similar finding was also reported by Padmapriya and Chezhiyan (2007) that height of turmeric crop under the shade was higher than open system. Singh, H.P. (2016) [14] also reported that the height of turmeric crop under agroforestry was higher than open farming due to less population of weed and less competition for nutrient under agroforestry system as compared to open farming system between turmeric crop and weed. The maximum number of leaves per plant (6.14, 9.31, 13.22 & 15.01) respectively at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded in T1 (100% inorganic) followed by T2 (75% inorganic) & minimum number of leaves per plant (3.65, 4.43, 6.76, 10.27) at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded in T9 (Control zero fertilizer). Consequently, the maximum number of tillers per plant (3.04, 3.46, 3.46, 3.46) at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded in T1 (100% inorganic) followed by T2 (75% inorganic) & the minimum number of tillers per plant (1.00, 1.37, 1.37, 1.37) at 30 DAP, 60 DAP, 90 DAP & 120 DAP was recorded in T9 (Control zero fertilizer). Similar result was also reported by Amin et al., (2010) [1] studied the positive impact of shade on numbers of tillers per plant, Kandiannan et al., (1999) [4] who recorded insignificant variation in No. of tiller bed when ginger crop grown pure and with maize. The data for yield of Kaali Haldi are presented in Table 2.

The maximum length of mother rhizome was recorded under T6: 50% inorganic + 50% FYM (6.95 cm) treatment whereas minimum in T9: Control zero fertilizer (4.70 cm) treatment.

The maximum width of mother rhizome was recorded under T6: 50% inorganic + 50% FYM (6.03 cm) treatment whereas minimum in T9: Control zero fertilizer (3.73 cm) treatment. Finger rhizome length (cm) was highest under T6: 50% inorganic + 50% FYM (7.67 cm) treatment whereas lowest under T9: Control zero fertilizer (5.86 cm) treatment. The maximum width of finger rhizome was recorded under T6: 50% inorganic + 50% FYM (2.37 cm) treatment whereas minimum in T9: Control zero fertilizer (1.35 cm) treatment. Similar result was also found by Sil, A., and Hore, J.K. (2024) [13] reported the growth and yield of black turmeric, when subjected to different combinations of inorganic fertilizers, organic manures and biofertilizers.

Conclusion

The study revealed that integrated nutrient management significantly affects the growth and yield of Curcuma caesia cultivated under a Eucalyptus-based agroforestry system. Among the nutrient treatments, 100% inorganic fertilizer (T1) resulted in the greatest plant height, number of leaves, and tillers at all growth stages, demonstrating that readily available nutrients strongly promote vegetative growth. In contrast, the control treatment (T9) exhibited the lowest growth, highlighting the importance of external nutrient application for optimal crop performance in tree-based systems. Yield parameters, including mother rhizome length and width as well as finger rhizome length and width, were highest under 50% inorganic + 50% FYM (T6), indicating that a balanced combination of chemical fertilizers and organic manure more effectively enhances rhizome development than inorganic fertilizer alone. This underscores the beneficial role of organic inputs in improving soil structure, nutrient availability, and moisture retention under agroforestry conditions. Overall, while T1 favors vegetative growth, the integrated nutrient management approach (T6) is superior for maximizing rhizome yield. Therefore, the application of 50% inorganic fertilizer combined with 50% FYM is recommended as an efficient and sustainable strategy for enhancing Curcuma caesia productivity in Eucalyptusbased agroforestry systems. This approach not only improves yield but also contributes to long-term soil health and sustainability in spice cultivation under agroforestry.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementThis work has completed during the year 2024 to 25. We express our gratitude to Herbal Garden, IGKV, Raipur, Chhattisgarh and Department of Silviculture and Agroforestry for providing us the facility and resources required to conduct this study

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